Valtteri Bottas believes taking a more aggressive approach in terms of set-up changes is assisting his encouraging form through the early phases of the Formula 1 season.
Bottas dominated the season-opening Australian Grand Prix for his first victory since 2017 and has added two runner-up spots in Bahrain and China.
It leaves the Finn just six points behind reigning World Champion team-mate Lewis Hamilton ahead of this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
“I’ve been maybe a bit more direct and more maybe let's say aggressive in how big changes we've been making in the practice and what kind of set-up directions we've been taking,” he said.
“That's the usual why you gain confidence and knowing what you exactly you need from the car and how you feel the car will be quicker for you.
“We've had pretty clear set-up directions in the first three race weekends, especially Melbourne and the last race in terms of where we've ended up and been quite happy with the set-up.
“I think I've definitely improved in that sense.
“I also have a new core engineering team, with a new race and performance engineer, so that also brings many different ideas on the table and a different way of thinking which then makes me also think different things on the set-up.
“[For example] what will work with me and for the car, and for the qualifying, for the race and so on so there's been big development there I think from my side on that, and something I'm particularly learning and keep carrying on for the season, race-by-race.”
Bottas led last year’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix until a puncture struck on the antepenultimate lap, and is understandably optimistic of a stronger showing this year.
“Last year was pretty unlucky,” he said. “It’s a pretty unique race and anything can happen here, the year before I was one lap down to everyone and I finished second.
“It’s a special race, a very fun grand prix, so I am coming here with a good mindset knowing that anything is possible.
“We have been strong in at least two of the three races this year in terms of pure performance, Ferrari was definitely ahead in Bahrain but now it’s a completely different type of circuit.
“We do have a strong package and we have our strengths and Ferrari has their strengths but we are definitely in the fight and that’s good to know.”
